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Severe Stomach Pain Between Belly And Sternum, Ulcer Healed, Gastritis Still There. Does Gastritis Cause Acid Reflux, Regurgitation ?
Question: I was going through a stressful time for 12 weeks and right after the stress ended (pretty much the next day) I awoke to really severe stomach pain. It was a severe stomach pain that was above the belly button and got much better after eating (and I had to eat every 2-3 hours to calm it down). When I didn't eat I would get the severe stomach pain as well as burping up some acid. I didn't get any acid after eating (only when not eating).
My doctor gave me ppi's to take for a few weeks and they reduced some of the symptoms (not eliminated) so I stopped taking them for a month.
Basically now - the severe stomach pain is gone almost completely, but I have a dull ache between the belly button and sternum - gets a tiny bit better with food, but doesn't really matter. The pain is 24/7.
However now after eating I seem to be getting acid reflux - my stomach seems to be forcing burping and acid to come up to my throat/mouth. It's not heartburn - rather it seems to be gas with acid coming up with it (sometimes it's just acid though). Also regurgitation occurs. It seems to be forceful. It doesn't just happen (like heartburn) rather it seems to force my stomach to release it and have it travel up towards my mouth. I don't get any chest pain or heartburn and the regurgitation doesn't just happen - only with forced pressure from the stomach.
I never really had any chest pain and/or heart burn (and still don't), most of it is below the sternum. Pain is worse upon waking up, but gets better after an hour or so of sitting. No feeling of getting food stuck in throat - but stomach seems to be more "full" after eating. Quantity of food seems to matter more than type of food. Tested negative for hpylori. Stools are fine.
My doctor told me to try ppi's for a few more days again - and while they reduce the acid that comes up, it doesn't help with the burping/regurgitation and thus he thinks it's gastritis.
Gastritis caused an ulcer, ppi's healed it, but gastritis still there?
Can gastritis cause burping acid/mild acid reflux?
Can gastritis cause regurgitation?
GERD?
My doctor gave me ppi's to take for a few weeks and they reduced some of the symptoms (not eliminated) so I stopped taking them for a month.
Basically now - the severe stomach pain is gone almost completely, but I have a dull ache between the belly button and sternum - gets a tiny bit better with food, but doesn't really matter. The pain is 24/7.
However now after eating I seem to be getting acid reflux - my stomach seems to be forcing burping and acid to come up to my throat/mouth. It's not heartburn - rather it seems to be gas with acid coming up with it (sometimes it's just acid though). Also regurgitation occurs. It seems to be forceful. It doesn't just happen (like heartburn) rather it seems to force my stomach to release it and have it travel up towards my mouth. I don't get any chest pain or heartburn and the regurgitation doesn't just happen - only with forced pressure from the stomach.
I never really had any chest pain and/or heart burn (and still don't), most of it is below the sternum. Pain is worse upon waking up, but gets better after an hour or so of sitting. No feeling of getting food stuck in throat - but stomach seems to be more "full" after eating. Quantity of food seems to matter more than type of food. Tested negative for hpylori. Stools are fine.
My doctor told me to try ppi's for a few more days again - and while they reduce the acid that comes up, it doesn't help with the burping/regurgitation and thus he thinks it's gastritis.
Gastritis caused an ulcer, ppi's healed it, but gastritis still there?
Can gastritis cause burping acid/mild acid reflux?
Can gastritis cause regurgitation?
GERD?
Hi and thanks for the query
Burping and reflux are suggestive of acid reflux and probably a hiatus hernia. Hiatus hernia compromises the integrity of lower esophageal sphincter which is the most important component of the antireflux mechanism.
Burping can also occur because of reduced stomach compliance or elasticity. This is commonly secondary to a gastric inflammation.
An upper GI endoscopy can clarify these issues and help to plan the treatment. Meanwhile I would advice to take PPIs and some prokinetics, not to lie down for atleast 2 hrs after food, sleep with head end elevation and do some breathing exercises to augment the lower esophageal sphincter.
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX
Burping and reflux are suggestive of acid reflux and probably a hiatus hernia. Hiatus hernia compromises the integrity of lower esophageal sphincter which is the most important component of the antireflux mechanism.
Burping can also occur because of reduced stomach compliance or elasticity. This is commonly secondary to a gastric inflammation.
An upper GI endoscopy can clarify these issues and help to plan the treatment. Meanwhile I would advice to take PPIs and some prokinetics, not to lie down for atleast 2 hrs after food, sleep with head end elevation and do some breathing exercises to augment the lower esophageal sphincter.
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply. Just had some questions:
The pain is between the belly button and sternum - it never rises above the end of the sternum.
Do you think gastritis could cause these symptoms? ("This is commonly secondary to a gastric inflammation.)
When I push out on my stomach it feels like the walls of the stomach are scratched and it gives stronger pain. Is this usually a sign of gastritis?
I have no throat/chest/breathing/food getting stuck issues. Also no actual heartburn/chest pain issues - only the regurgitation/burping of food. Also, if I lie down after eating nothing more happens than usual - but when bending over I get excessive burping and the food coming up (almost like throwing up). Could a hernia be present without any of those other symptoms?
Thanks.
Thanks for the quick reply. Just had some questions:
The pain is between the belly button and sternum - it never rises above the end of the sternum.
Do you think gastritis could cause these symptoms? ("This is commonly secondary to a gastric inflammation.)
When I push out on my stomach it feels like the walls of the stomach are scratched and it gives stronger pain. Is this usually a sign of gastritis?
I have no throat/chest/breathing/food getting stuck issues. Also no actual heartburn/chest pain issues - only the regurgitation/burping of food. Also, if I lie down after eating nothing more happens than usual - but when bending over I get excessive burping and the food coming up (almost like throwing up). Could a hernia be present without any of those other symptoms?
Thanks.
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
Yes the symptoms you have are typical of reflux induced gastritis associated with Hiatus hernia.
Excessive burps on bending and pain are typical and expected symptoms.
Hope I answered all your questions. Please use any answer clarification before closing and rating this answer. I will be happy to explain or expand on any issue you may have.
Regards,
Thanks for writing back.
Yes the symptoms you have are typical of reflux induced gastritis associated with Hiatus hernia.
Excessive burps on bending and pain are typical and expected symptoms.
Hope I answered all your questions. Please use any answer clarification before closing and rating this answer. I will be happy to explain or expand on any issue you may have.
Regards,
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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